Teaching tomorrow’s carriers of generation through bridge course…

Annual Progress Report

April 2014-March 2015

Sr. Crescence Mary SSH Fakirana Sisters Society, Bettiah, West Champaran, Bihar

General Information of the Organization

Title of the Project

Bridge Course Program (BCP)

Name of the organization

Fakirana Sisters Society

Address of the organization

Fakirana Sisters Society Banuchapar, Bettiah, West Champaran 845 438, Bihar, INDIA

Phone Email Fax

91-6254-242594, 91-8862844435 sr.crescence@gmail.com Not available

Contact Person

Sr. Crescence SSH

Location of the project

Bridge Course Sacred Heart Convent, Bettiah of West Champaran districts of Bihar

Project Duration

Ongoing

Reporting Period

1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015

Date of Submission of the Annual Progress Report

26th August 2015

There are numbers stars in the sky.

Let me place my own little lamp among then ravinder nath taigor .

Yes, we the children of Bridge course want to make a little world more enlightened, a little brighter, more comfortable to live with one another in love.

Introduction and background of the program The bridge course program was started in July 2010 with the financial support of Free School World Literacy Program (WLP).Now Bridge Centre Program is training the 5th batch of the girl children. In 13 years, we have analyzed that the girls were outshining the boys in education but due to many socio-cultural factors the girls were forced to stay at home and discontinue the studies. Especially we felt very sad about the brilliant girls who could be the leaders in their life. Therefore, we had a discussion with Saskia what could be done for these types of girls and after much thought and sharing of ideas we thought of having one year residential program for such girls from our non-formal centres. It took 13 years to emerge with the bridge course program. Bridge course appears to be a big achievement. Objectives

• To identify and enroll the girl children aged 8-14 years belonging to the scheduled caste (lowest strata) in bridge course program.

• To educate them through the bridge course up to 5th standard. • To enable them to access their right to education and bring them into the

mainstreamed education to compete with other children. • To reduce their vulnerability by linking them to the educational arena through bridge

course and formal education. Location of the project Bridge Course Program is being operated in a separate building and office within the premises of Sacred Heart Convent, Banuchhapar, Bettiah, West Champaran district of Bihar.

Director & project secretary and they say that Time calls for serious preparation for future challenges.

Activities implemented during April 2014-March 2015

1. Identification, selection & enrollment of children

18 girl children were identified from different places, undergone the structured selection process and finally enrolled in the Bridge Course Program for their studies during this year. This was completed in July 2014 itself. Unlike previous years, this year we designed and developed an organized, structured and well fabricated system of identification, selection and enrollment of the girl children. This entire process has enhanced the authenticity of the candidates and parents with their children were also oriented and counseled at every stage which has made them understand about the Bridge Course Program, its rules, regulation, its objectives and mission etc. Following is the designed & developed process of identification, selection and enrollment to find the authentic candidates:

Figure-1: Identification, selection & enrolment process

Application submitted by the parents in Bridge Course

Program

Application submitted by the child aspirant in Bridge Course

Program

Orientation of parents

and child on the systems,

policies, rules,

regulation etc If pa

rent

s & c

hild

ag

reed

for a

dmiss

ion

then

Dates of entrance test & selection

results given to the

parents & child

Entrance test conducted on the scheduled date

House visit of the probable candidates to

enquire the background, family profile,

atmosphere, criminal records etc

If fo

und

satis

fact

ory

then

Parents are

called upon for admission of the

child

Pre admission counseling of parents

& child

If pa

rent

s & c

hild

are

re

ady

for a

dmiss

ion

then

Admission formalities

completed by the parents, child & staff

of Bridge Course Program

Medical checkup

of the child

*Affidavit

Enrolment & registration of child

& classes started

Feedback in written by parents & child

every month

Documentation in personal files

Prog

ress

repo

rt o

f eac

h ch

ild e

very

04

mon

ths

docu

men

ted

Certification of children after the successful completion of Bridge Course Program

2. Teachers’ Day Celebration

Teachers’ day was celebrated on 5th September 2014 in the Bridge Course Program in Bettiah. The celebration began at 10.30 am in the Bridge Course Program office. 03 teachers, 03 staff members, 10 sisters and 15 girls of the Bridge Course Program took active participation in this program. First of all, Sr. Crescence welcomed all the delegates, children, sisters and the chief guest Mr. Raj Anand-District Child Protection Officer (DCPO). Prayer dance was presented by the little girls followed by the role plays based on education. Children also presented the “Dandiya” dance and had lot of fun. Some of the children delivered English speeches flawlessly. Humorous acts, jokes and songs also became the part of the cultural

programs. Chief guest-Mr. Raj Anand-district child protection officer addressed the children and reminded them the aim to join the Bridge Course Program and keep it alive till they got succeed in their aim. He says that the changes are visible and impacts can also be seen. He told children that the foundation laid by Bridge Course Program will bring the impact later in your life. He appreciated the efforts made by Sr. Crescence Mary and her staff. Sr. Crescence Mary says that she felt proud to see the little girls presenting such vibrant and energetic cultural programs. “This is commendable”, she added in her speech. She congratulated her staff for their splendid efforts they made for making this program a grand success. Sr. Crescence Mary lastly presented the gift on this day; she gifted the salwar suit to female teachers and bed sheet to male teachers and staff.

3. Republic Day celebration

Republic day was organized on 26th January 2015 in Bridge Course Program. Children of the Bridge Course Program joined other children in Sacred Heart School, Bettiah and witnessed the flag hoisting ceremony. Sr. Crescence-Project Director along with the children of the Bridge Course Program also hoisted the flag followed by singing the national anthem. Sr. Crescence also addressed the children and shared the significance of the republic day. On the same day, children were invited in the convent where they had their supper with the sisters and fun as well.

4. Celebration of Christmas

Christmas was celebrated in the Bridge Course Program on 24th December 2014. To make this day memorable, children and sisters lighted the candles all around which made the entire campus filled with light. Sr. Crescence along with her staff organized various games such as pinning up the balloons. In this game, hands were tied and each participant was provided with the pin and was asked to break the balloon of her rival. Everyone enjoyed nicely. Second game was to keep the balloon in the air by blowing it with mouth air which was difficult but enjoyed by everyone. Lastly, cakes, tea and snacks were served to everyone and program came to an end with the wishes for this day and the New Year.

5. Monthly Review Meeting of the Project

During this year, regular staff meetings were conducted with the bridge course program team to assess the progress of the project, gaps, challenges, strategies to overcome these challenges, learning at the project level, correctives for better implementation of the project. Each meeting was presided over by Sr. Crescence Mary to give the value addition every time we had the staff meeting. It was the regular phenomenon to promote lot of discussions leading to the emergence of better and workable strategies beneficial for the achievements of project and sustainable impacts created among the children we work with.

6. Inaugural ceremony of new hall of “Bridge Course” & annual function

Inaugural ceremony of new hall of “Bridge Course” and annual function was organized on 22nd March 2015. First of all, a devotional prayer was offered by the priest and blessing was showered upon followed by the inauguration done by Mrs. Saskia and Mrs. Geri Johnson by cutting the ribbon. Sr. Sumita-Provincial of Sisters of Sacred Heart (SSH), Patna, Sr. Jyotsna, Sr. Seema, Sr. Vinaya and Sr. Vinaya have graced the occasion with their benign present in blessing ceremony. All the delegates were assembled in the conference room. Mrs. Saskia, Mrs. Geri Johnson, Mr. Jawed akthar -district program officer, Sr. Sumita-provincial lighted the lamp and the program was proceeded further.

Little girls of the Bridge Course presented the welcome song “happy welcome” followed by the welcome speech by Kajal Kumari. Vandana dance was performed by Kajal Kumari. Joke was shared by Shyamal Ji. In the series of programs, little girls again presented the dance on the song “Panchhi banu..”. Subhash Chakravorti then shared a humorous joke “Shadi ki dawat”. On dafli wale song, little children Rani and Priyanka performed the dance followed by Sapera dance done by Shilpi and Pinki and drama sunaina ki shadi . Many other items were presented by the Bridge course girls and enjoyed by the audience thoroughly. A Telecast was presented by the passed student of of the Bridge Course, showing their present studies, their challenges their affect to meet the challenges etc. It was an eye opening for the audience and the determination of the old student to continued the studies in spite of the difficulties was enraging for us all. It was very clear that the old student had great appreciation for the Bridge Course. At the end of the program a vote of thanks was presented by the Directors Sr. Crescence. It touch the heart of the chief guest Saskia, Geri and Mr. Javed akthar and all the actors for stage performance, and faculty of Bridge Course for the preparation of the program and others stage management and all our friends our audience. Then Mrs. Geri Johnson was called upon to the stage to share few words. She said, “Education is more than reading and writing. I saw how far you have learned. Please learn cooperation. You have now become skilled. I am very proud of you. I am very proud of your parents who have sacrificed a lot. You have given these children to Bridge Course Program so that they can learn more and more. I thank all the teachers. I also thank Fakirana Sisters Society for its vision to educate every child. Thank you all”. Mrs. Saskia then was called upon to the stage who distributed the gift to the people who have constructed the new hall. Sr. Crescence thanked

Mrs. Geri Johnson & Mrs. Saskia for their philanthropic support to bring the change in the lives of the children. Sr. Crecence then invited everyone to have the refreshment. The last—the children thank the lord in lyric singing whole heartily ”O GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD” and the assembly joined the children in praising and thank you in lord. 7. Terminal examinations conducted

S. N.

Name of the student

1st Term Examination

2nd Term Examination

3rd Term Examination

6th Standard 1. Rani Kumari 261 344 450 2. Nikki Kumari 258 321 433 3. Sarita Kumari 232 273 343 4. Nishu Kumari 275 329

4th Standard 5. Pinki Kumari 323 359 450 6. Baby Parveen 269 303 403 7. Sahana Khatoon 228 256 337 8. Tamanna Khatoon 257 296 399 9. Pooja Kumari 285 306 398

10. Lakshmi Kumari 249 278 259 11. Khushi Kumari 211 232 235 12. Khushbu Kumari I 219 240 197 13. Neha Kumari 215 203 196 14. Babli Kumari 225 281 342 15. Khsuhbu Kumari II 249 302 438 16. Shilp Kumari 242 307 392 17. Shahzadi Kumari 240 209 221 18. Lalmuni Kumari 242 303 411

Three terminal examinations were conducted for the 4th and 6th standard students of Bridge Course Program during this year. In the first terminal exam, children’s performance was average and they were guided to work hard to secure good marks and enhance their understanding in various subjects. In the second terminal exam, they performed slightly better than before while in the last and third terminal exam, their performance stood best than the two times earlier they performed. Detail of all terminal examinations and the respective marks is given in annexure-2, 2.1 and 2.2. Key achievements & impacts created by “Bridge Course Program”

• 18 girl children were identified, selected and enrolled in the bridge course following the structured procedures

• 14 girls altogether successfully completed one year bridge course program; 06 girls passed with 6th standard while 08 girls passed with 4th standard from the bridge course.

• 04 girls of the same batch were re-registered for one more year as they were not found to be capable to compete with other schools.

• Out of 14 passed out girls, 02 girls got admission in 8th standard, 03 girls in 6th standard, 01 girl in 5th standard while 08 girls successfully got admission in 5th standard in various formal schools.

• 14 passed out girls are continuing their studies and quite ambitious to reach at the zenith of success as per their capacity.

• 14 passed out girls have developed a decent living style, attitude of respecting everyone, groomed their personality, changed their behavior & sharpen their wisdom.

• 14 passed out girls have developed analytical thinking and their capacity to work hard in every situation.

• 14 passed out girls developed the concern for their parents, siblings and other people. • 14 passed out girls became disciplined, developed mannerism, helping attitude and

significantly the interest in the studies. • Parents were so much influenced by the quality education of bridge course program

that they were insisted to make their daughters to stay till they complete 10th standard.

Challenges and strategies to overcome

Challenges Strategies to overcome Identification of authentic girl child- with the predetermined criteria

A system has been developed with multi stage scanner to find the right candidate for the bridge course program

Adjusting in a structured and disciplined life is very difficult for the girls who came from a different background as they miss their own atmosphere

Counseling at regular interval, motivation and engaging them in a hectic routine of studies and multi tasking gradually make them to adjust in the new environment

Sudden shifting from villages to the bridge course program and “feeling at home” is really difficult

Psychological support, affection and regular motivation give them the “feeling at home”

Threatening to commit suicide and run away tendency of the girl children is the great challenge

We have adopted the approach of “handover r to parents at the end of the program ” immediately

Making the girls children of bridge course interested in studies throughout the year

Joyful learning, new and scientific methods of teaching, participatory approach and multi tasking have created the interest in them and creating a good impact

To make them unlearn their mugging habit, and changing their attitude was indeed a challenge for us

Assigning them creative work/assignment such as preparing the speech & delivering it within specified timeframe has proved to a good exercise in changing their behavior

Way forward…

• Conference of the old alumni of bridge course program is planned to be organized in the day to come to capture the success stories of the children of the bridge course program passed out in the past

Life Change Stories

Rani Kumari aged 12 years and Nikki Kumari 11 years are the real sisters who were enrolled in bridge course during the year 2014-15. They hail from Machaha village of Turhapatti panchayat of Yogapatti block of West Champaran district of Bihar.Their father Mr. Shiv Kumar Sah is simply a farmer who has a patch of small agricultural land. He grows the paddy and wheat in his land and feed the

family with lot of difficulties. Sometimes, their father has to work on others’ field as the labourer to meet family expenses. Their mother is the housewife who stays at home and takes care of other children. Rani and Nikki have 02 other sisters and 01 brother. After their enrollment in the bridge course program, they were taught rigorously throughout the year and also they were provided additional teaching of 30 days. Both these sisters cleared 6th standard in the bridge course. So normally their admission should have been in class 7th but their performance pleased they had master and they were admitted in class 8th St. Xavier’s School on of the renowned. So we are very proud of Rani and Nikki. Congratulations !!!!!

It is like a dream for Rani and Nikki to study in St. Xavier’s School which they never thought ever in their life. They are very happy and thank to Bridge Course Program” for changing their life. Their father Mr. Shiv Kumar Sah says, “It was not possible for me to see my daughters where they are today. I give the credit to Bridge Course Program which changed the life of my daughters who are now getting quality education today”.

Life on track: a story of Pinki Kumari…

Pinki Kumari was just 8 years old when she was enrolled in 4th standard “Bridge Course Program” during the year of April 2014-March 2015. Pinki Kumari is the resident of Machaha village of Turhapatti panchayat of Yogapatti block of West Champaran district of Bihar.Pinki has 03 sisters and 01 brother and her father Mr. Manoj Ram is the tempo driver. Her father hires the tempo everyday and works hard the whole day. Her father is able to earn Rs. 200 to 250 a day after paying the amount of hiring the tempo. Her family has always been facing the financial crunch as it was difficult to feed the entire family within the limited resources. Educating the children was almost difficult for her father but

thanks to people behind “Bridge Course Program” due to which Pinki could complete her 4th standard successfully. Having completed her 4th standard from “bridge course program”, Pinki Kumari appeared in the test which she cleared without any difficulty. She was then admitted in 6th standard in Machan Vidyalay Mandir, Yogapatti block of West Champaran Bihar.

Pinki is very happy & studying hard to see herself successful in life. Her father says, “It is only possible because of Bridge Course Program which made my daughter capable to compete others & confident enough to cope up the life situations. I am thankful and be indebted to Sr. Crescence and other people who are doing wonders”.

Destiny has another plan: a pathetic story of Sarita Kumari

Sarita Kumari a girl child who was 12 years old when she was enrolled and admitted in Bridge Course Program in May 2015. She was the original resident of Mahnagani panchayat of Majhaulia block of West Champaran district of Bihar. Her father Mr. Virendra Bhagat was the poorest farmer in the village. Her father did not have enough resources to feed her and other members of the family. Sarita Kumari was enrolled and admitted in 6th standard in Bridge Course Program in May 2015. She was attending the classes and studying smoothly in the Bridge Course Program. One day, she got

fainted, immediately she was provided the first aid and her parents were informed about her faint. Her parents rushed and took her to home thinking that she will be alright within a couple of days. But destiny was planning something else. She got fainted again at her home. Her parents contacted to Sr. Crescence and consulted on this matter. Sr. Crescence guided them to for exact diagnosis and then the treatment. Sr. Crescence along with her parents took her to the doctor and as per his advise; CT-scan was done. She was diagnosed with having a problem

in her brain. After the proper diagnosis, she was taken to Patna Medical College & Hospital, Patna where she received proper treatment in the neurology department. Sr. Crescence helped them at every stage and arranged contacts, information and whatever was possible. With all these efforts, Sarita recovered well from her illness but could not continue her studies in Bridge Course Program.

Her father says, “I am very much thankful to Sr. Crescence to save the life of my daughter which was not possible for me as I am illiterate and the world was unknown to me. I express my sorrow that my daughter could not continue her studies in the Bridge Course Program. I hope that destiny will not play with other children as it did to my daughter”.

Good start of life: breaking taboos…

Baby Parveen was 10 years old when she was enrolled and admitted in Bridge Course Program. She lives in Sheikh Dhurva village of Bettiah block of West Champaran district of Bihar.She has 03 brothers and 02 sisters. Her father is a small farmer who grows paddy and wheat on his own small land. Her mother is a housewife who takes care of the children at home. Struggling from the acute poverty, her father sent her to the bridge course program where she completed her 4th standard studies successfully. She went back to her home after completing her studies at “Bridge Course Program” but she found difficult to continue her studies as her father expressed his inability to do so because of the persisting poverty. Baby Parveen was very upset and very hopeful at the same time. She contacted to

Sr. Crescence and requested to convince her father if he can continue her studies. She knew that she was speculating for her life. Sr. Crescence visited her home and counseled her father who gave his green signal. She was then admitted in a private school located at Chhawni in 6th standard. Baby Parveen is very confident and looking forward to see a dignified life. Being a Muslim girl, it was like breaking the taboo for her education. Vanishing dreams: a story of drop out… Nishu Kumari originally lives in Mahnagani village & panchayat of Majhaulia block of West Champaran district of Bihar. She was 12 years old. Nishu was enrolled and admitted in 6th standard in the Bridge Course Program in May 2015. Nishu was performing very well in the classes of Bridge Course Program. It was the occasion of Christmas when she went to her home for the holidays. She met an accident at her home and got a fracture in her leg. Her father Mr. Rameswar Sah who was a small farmer took her to the village doctor who treated for her fracture. Since that doctor was not a specialist, that’s why it took long time to recover from that fracture. It was her cruel destiny due to which she could not continue her studies in the Bridge Course Program and feel sorry for the same.

The final destination: a story of Ruby’s agony…

Ruby is the one of the most unfortunate children of the world. She lost her parents when she was an infant. She has no brother and sister and was the only child of her parents. She was originally the resident of Bettiah but had to move to Darjeeling, West Bengal with her maternal uncle Mr. Benedict after the death of her father. She is now 12 years old. Life without parents can be imagined, what it may take turn? Same happened with this child. She was working as a domestic help in her maternal uncle. She could not study because of two reasons 1. Education in English medium school was expensive and beyond Mr. Benedict’s capacity.2.-there was no Hindi medium school within her reach. So after the death of her mother she remained with Mr. Benedict her uncle almost like a helper in the house whole work. Mr. Benedict has the relatives in Bettiah who informed him about the Bridge Course. Being a nice person, he came to Bettiah and took all the information about the Bridge Course and thought why Ruby can not be educated at Bridge course Bettiah. After consulting the director it was decided the Ruby can get admission In Bridge course. Ruby was brought by Mr. Benedict and enrolled in the Bridge Course. She is very loving and charming girl she has now become the part of the group. In introduction of herself she said ”I feel it is my great fortune that I got this opportunity to study here. Education in life is most important thing so all of us so study and study. She feels very happy as she is free here... She has to do nothing but to study and study, most work very hard to become learned. I am very happy to be here”.

Sr. Crescence Mary standing with the passed out girls of the Bridge Course Program of 2014-15 year

A passed out girl showing her certificate provided after the successful completion of Bridge Course Program.

The children of Bridge course celebrating Holi festival

Let the sky be limitless for them Let them fly untiringly and unendingly with the wings of their wishes… Let them explore the world in their own way Let them fill the colours in the destiny of their choice Let them do what they want Let them break all social taboos Let them have equity & equality in all spheres of life Let them prove their potentiality Let them show that in no way they are less than boys Let them be the star daughters of their parents Let their parents proud to have them Let their parents pray to have daughters in every birth & life they have Let the world change its attitudes towards them Let the world give them enabling environment It is not too late Because life never comes again….never…never…

Director Sr.Crescence WLP& BRIDGE COURSE Programme Fakirana sister’s society Banuchappar, Bettiah, West Champaran Bihar INDIA